Collective Intelligence

Insects swarm. Fish swarm. Birds swarm. Even mammals move in mass migrations of complex intelligence. Professor Jankowiak believes that he can access that intelligence in humans, using computer gaming, to solve problems that threaten mankind. His success is early and profound but the more he and his protege, Ryan, try to manage the course of their games, the more likely they will lose control.Insects swarm. Fish swarm. Birds swarm. Swarms exhibit a complex intelligence wherein collective thought protects the species. Professor Jankowiak believed that he could access that intelligence, using the compelling excitement of computer gaming, to have humans solve problems that threaten mankind.From his university appointment, Jankowiak devises gaming platforms and invites the world to tackle a pharmaceutical problem. His success is early and profound--earning the highest accolades--but it also attracts unwelcome pressure from his peers, rivals, and the government. After Jankowiak takes his idea to industry, he and his successor-protege, Ryan, find themselves under continuous attack, and the more they try to manage the course of the games, the more likely that their control and destiny will be wrestled from their hands.